John Runge, Jr.

John Scott Runge, 93, of Casper, Wyoming, died January 26, 2021 at his home in Casper.  His wife, Emily Runge, and daughter, Margaret Ann Burnett were with him.

John was born November 16, 1927 in Houston, Texas to Frank and Catherine Runge. He had one brother, Frank Runge, Jr. of Fort Worth, Texas. John attended schools in Houston graduating from San Jacinto High School in 1944. He served in the U. S. Army of Occupation in Sasebo, Japan in 1946 and 1947.

John was united in marriage to Patricia Claypool on July 16, 1949 in Wichita Falls, Texas. They had four children – Margaret Ann, John Jr. (Jay), Ellen and Paul.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Texas in January of 1950, John  worked in Odessa and Midland, Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico for Phillips Petroleum, Skelley Oil and British-American Oil Companies until his transfer to Casper in 1960. In 1964 he became a consultant in petroleum geology and in 1974 he formed a partnership with several other geologists doing consulting in petroleum, uranium, coal and hydrology.  In 1978 John left the consulting field and merged his oil and gas interests with LR Company in 1979. He served as president of LR Company.

John was active in geological groups serving as secretary of the West Texas Geological Society in 1958, as president of the Wyoming Geological Society in 1968, as president of the Rocky Mountain Section of the AAPG in 1973, and as treasurer of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in 1980-1982.

He served on the Advisory Board of the Wyoming Geological Survey from 1969-1976 and received the Frank Morgan Award from the Wyoming Geological Society for Outstanding Achievement in 1974. He wrote numerous technical papers and provided the annual award for the Outstanding Geological Paper by a Student presented at the Rocky Mountain Section of the AAPG. He was an honorary member of the Wyoming Geological Society. John was a member of the Casper Petroleum Club from 1960-1992 and President from 1972-1973.

John was active in the First United Methodist Church. He taught both youth and adults for many years.

John served as the editor of Wyoming on Review, a Republican Party fundraising publication He also served as a campaign coordinator for Natrona County for five elections.  He was Chairman of Natrona County Republicans from 1974-1976.

John was a member of the Casper Kawanis Club from 1961-1993. He served as President in 1967 and District Lieutenant Governor in 1969.

John’s wife, Pat Runge, died in 1988. John then married Emily Snapp on May 12, 1989. They lived together in Casper until his death.

John’s survivors include his wife, Emily Runge of Casper; daughter, Margaret Ann Burnett (Michael Reimann) of Denver, Colorado; daughter, Ellen Ventura (Michael Ventura) of Koloa, Hawaii; son Paul Runge (LeAnn Runge) of LaPine, Oregon; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pat Runge, his brother, Frank Runge, and his son, John Jr. (Jay) Runge.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home , 600 CY Ave. Casper, WY 82601.